Women’s Notebook – The Decisive Dozen
By Stephen Zerdelian
There are many reasons why a team can enjoy a good/great season. Talent level, coaching, chemistry – they all factor into the blend. High-level players generally get much of the attention when the on-court product is examined, which is fair enough. Often, those players do, in fact, decide their team’s fate. But sometimes, the hidden, less-obvious players play just as critical a role.
With that in mind, I wanted to zero in on some of the players in the region that, while being important, maybe don’t get the kind of spotlight their value to their teams deserve. Yes, there are a couple of ‘best-player-on-the-team’ picks here but there are reasons why I opted for them. Every team has them to a certain degree, yet I can only select a handful. There is a mixture of player types here with the common thread being their importance to their team.
Keep in mind that for some teams, the realistic goal may be to win their league or the region. For others it may be to claim a higher playoff spot than anticipated and for yet others, a playoff berth might be the brass ring. Simply put, who plays a key role in aiding their teams’ attempt to maximize their campaign while being undervalued?
Let’s call them the Decisive Dozen (I love catchy terms!) and dig into why their value might be under-appreciated.
Autumn Ceppi, Bentley (6-0, Graduate student)
The long, lanky Ceppi provides Bentley’s main interior offense and if C White’s team is to make a serious dent in the Northeast-10 and region, one suspects Ceppi must continue to flourish. A transfer from Bucknell, where she was an All-Defensive team choice in the Patriot League last winter, Ceppi’s numbers are rather modest (12.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) but she shoots 50.6% from the floor (the only Falcon above the 50% mark) and has bumped up her production in their last three games (43 points, 29 boards and 17-31 from the field). In the long run, Ceppi supplies interior pop and solid post defense to a unit that is light in those areas and relies on her qualities.
Emily Chmiel, Chestnut Hill (6-2, Freshman)
Chmiel has made an instant impact at Chestnut Hill, which is off to a strong start (8-3). The post player sports nice numbers, including 12.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 54% from the floor, 89.5% from the line (34-38) and 14 blocked shots, all of which (aside of the points) are top 10 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference totals. She has done it all from the bench so far but her value to Jim Connolly’s team shows in the fact she plays the third-most minutes on the team. Chmiel’s value may skyrocket after the break, as Leah Miller (CHC’s top scorer) sustained a knee injury and might miss substantial time, meaning more responsibility on her shoulders. Thus far Chmiel seems able to handle it, so look for the Griffins to rely even more on the rookie.
Jessica Fressle, Southern Connecticut State (5-11, Graduate student)
If you’ve read this space before, you know I am a card-carrying member of the Jessica Fressle fan club. Head coach Kate Lynch can’t keep her off the court (36.4 mpg), since Fressle does so much for the Owls, including scoring (18.4 ppg), rebounding (11.7 rpg), defending (2.3 spg) and getting to the foul line (54-65 for 83.1%), all top 10 NE10 numbers. Fressle has season-highs of 26 points and 18 boards and has been consistent as well as prolific (at least 10 points and 7 caroms in every game) all season long. She is Southern Connecticut’s best, most important and most indispensable player and will likely dictate their ultimate destination as they fight for divisional success.
Meg Knollmeyer, Southern New Hampshire (6-1, Graduate student)
Like the final piece in a puzzle, Knollmeyer has been a revelation for the Penmen. Karen Pinkos’ team has a variety of perimeter options but has long lacked an inside presence, and Knollmeyer gives them exactly that. She began her career at NYIT and had a few excellent seasons there before a knee injury and the school’s closing prompted Knollmeyer to complete her career in her native state. At 12.6 ppg, 48% from the floor, 82% at the line, she’d be worth it but add in her superb board work (13.3 rpg, tops in the NE10; including an SNHU record-tying 26 against Georgian Court) and strong defense (1.8 bpg and 1.7 spg) and you have a complete player which complements the team perfectly.
Briana Lee, Felician (5-9, Sophomore)
The Golden Lions are looking to crash the party atop the CACC North and if Lee continues her stellar, if underrated play, they might be in business. She fronts the team with 16.3 ppg (#4 in the CACC), 12.6 rpg (#1) and 22 steals (#7) and shoots with frequency (52-67, both leading the loop) and accuracy (77.6%) at the line. Lee has registered at least seven rebounds in every game and just once has dipped below 10 points while putting together games of 22 points/21 rebounds (Bloomfield), 19/19 (Queens) and 22/14 (STAC) so far. Steve Fagan’s club has won their first two CACC games and, if Lee has the same kind of impact in 2022 as she had in 2021, Felician might have a say in the divisional outcome.
Safiyyah Lee, Molloy (5-11, Graduate Student)
Lee’s serpentine career took her to Georgian Court for a pair of seasons before she landed at Molloy but wherever she has been, Lee has been productive. One of those players that regularly fill a box score, Lee gives head coach Joe Pellicane great versatility and the ability to plug her into several spots without worry. She leads the ECC in shooting (51.7%) and resides in the top 10 in scoring (14.1ppg), rebounding (9.4 rpg), blocks (16) and free throw shooting (85.4%), to name a few. Overall, Lee’s career has yielded 922 points and 575 rebounds, and she continues to give her team a strong building block for success. For the Lions, post season hopes may depend on Lee staying healthy and continuing to produce.
Shannon May, University of the Sciences (5-4, Graduate student)
This selection has very little to do with statistics but more with culture and leadership. May has played in 103 of the Devils 106 games in her career, a span in which they’ve won 94 games, so she knows winning. For the first time in her Sciences career, May is a regular starter (she had the likes of Irisa Ye and Sarah Abbonizio ahead of her in previous seasons) and she’s been the steady rock that head coach Jackie Hartzell requires at point guard spot. An assist/turnover ratio of 1.8 (8th in the CACC) and 80% at the line shows that May knows how to take care of the ball and is a trustworthy force for the team. With the program in its final season, it can rest easy in the knowledge that May is the head of the snake on the court.
Kyla Ramseur, Post (5-4, Senior)
Ramseur transferred to Waterbury from CACC North foe Dominican and has been superb for the Eagles. Coming off the bench (just one start so far), Ramseur sports top-10 CACC numbers in scoring (15.1 ppg), three-point shooting (21 triples at 42.9%), free throw shooting (76.7%) and assists (3.4 apg). Even though she mostly comes off the pine, Post head coach Jon Plefka needs/wants her on the floor, playing Ramseur over 32 minutes a game, most on the team. Her energy is always good, and her production is rising (20+ points in her last five games at more than 23ppg), helping built a platform for the Eagles to challenge for CACC honors.
Rylee Skinner, Franklin Pierce (5-11, Senior)
One of the most efficient players in the region this season, Skinner has been terrific for the improved Ravens. In just over 22 minutes per game, Skinner has given Franklin Pierce head coach Mark Swasey 14.5 ppg and shoots well from the field (51.4%) and the foul line (80.4%). In per-40-minute terms, she’s averaging almost 26 ppg, third best in the NE10, a sign of her efficiency. Skinner, who has mainly been coming off the bench for FPU, has broken the 20-point mark four times and has proven she can handle increased minutes. Along with Emma Carter, Skinner is the foundation for a Raven team that looks to claim an NE10 playoff spot for the first time since 2016.
Katie Titus, Daemen (6-0, Senior)
This is an obvious choice, right? Nonetheless, Titus, one of the region’s best players, is so vital to the Wildcats that she belongs here. Her numbers are excellent even with high expectations attached – her 20.9 ppg, 10.3 rpg and 96% effort at the line (24-25) all lead the ECC, and basically double any other Daemen player. Titus is dangerous across the board (48.5% FG; 17 three-pointers; 1.6 spg; 10 blocks) and is duly rising on the all-time leader lists at Daemen (1,125 points, #16 with a good chance to finish in the top 10; 655 rebounds, also with a strong top 10 chance) as a result. But what makes her so valuable to Jenepher Banker’s club is the ability to rack up the stats while leading her team to success amid heavy pressure.
Gabby Turco, Saint Anselm (5-10, Sophomore)
Anyone who has watched or followed Saint Anselm this season knows Peyton Steinman is their best player (and one of the region’s best). But for the Hawks to make inroads in the NE10, they need quality depth from a heretofore unproven crop of players, and that’s where Turco comes in. The first-year sophomore has quickly developed into a critical player for Corey Boilard’s team, scoring well (16.4 ppg, #7 in the NE10) and shooting the ball accurately (34.6% 3FG and 81% at the stripe) while eating up valuable minutes (35.4 mpg, 8th in the league). Her solid frame and wide-ranging skill set makes Turco a player to watch and one that might hold the key to Saint Anselm’s fortunes this season.
Katie Wall, Mercy (5-6, Junior)
Mercy has enjoyed its best start in eons and sits 3-0 in the ECC for the first time since the early 90’s, with Wall a big part of it. While she may not dominate in any specific category, she is above average in basically everything, which helps Scott Lagas’ squad maximize their talent. Looking at the numbers, Wall (16.1 ppg; 4.4 apg; 2.5 spg; 24 3FG’s; 35.4% 3FG; 35.7 mpg; all in the league’s top 10) stands out as being remarkably consistent and durable. The Mavericks were picked 7th in the ECC pre-season poll (ahead of the loop’s two newest teams, D’Youville and Staten Island, and Bridgeport) but are looking like a good bet for a playoff spot right now. If Wall can keep up her solid play, then hope may become reality.